Late Season Nymphing.

It's becoming very clear that nymphing is the go to technique lately. Making the most of this productive skill keeps you in the game in this shortened season. Here are a few good habits to get into.

• Cast less. Drift more. Keep your flies in the zone as long as possible. That is possible with a couple of key moves. Reading water three dimensionally helps. Fish that rig as long as possible. The start, the sweet spot and the swing. Twenty feet of drift beats two feet every time.

• Use the tuck cast. A great delivery system cast.
  

• Learn the stack mend. Anticipate drag. Throw those mends BEFORE drag develops. Easy to do. Dirt cheap also.

• Add tippet instead of split shot. Easier and more enjoyable to cast than that conga line of shot. Fluorocarbon 5x is money lately. Supple, strong, stealthy and it sinks.

• Tying on a piece of 18"-24" of red Amnesia running line for the butt of your leader adds a ready made indicator to the system. Great for skinny water and high sticking.

• High stick that rig when it counts. Is the current dragging you're indicator before it gets in the zone? High stick that junk and see if that alleviates the water skiing bobber.

• Use tungsten bead flies. Heavier than standard beads. Would you rather throw split shot or a fly?

• Slow down. Make every cast count. Late season fishing action usually isn't non stop. Cover water thoroughly and move on after you feel you've done your best.
  

• Fly selection. Czech Nymphs 8-16, Pheasant Tails 16-20 with and without flashback, Brassie 18-20, Prince 12-18, Red Disco Midge 18-20, Copper Johns 16-20 in copper, black, red and chartreuse, San Juan Worm 10-18, Rock Worm Caddis 16-18 in nuke green. Pretty simple group. Don't overlook steelhead colors like purple, cerise and blue.

Make nymphing a solid skill that extends your season.